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Aug
2/3rd Sept
1-4th If your interested
in playing for Team USA Flag Football Team USA Flag Football - European Tour-England and Spain Team USA, who made the trip to promote the 2003 World Cup of Flag Football in the Caribbean in February, gave England and Spain a chance to tune-up prior to the World Cup with a few tournament appearances in each country. A contingent of nine Americans started their tour at the England Challenge tournament in Derby, England, just north of the nation’s capitol city, London, on June 1 and 2. Team USA strolled through a 5-man no contact tournament on June 1, finishing 6-0 after a comfortable 24-0 victory over Derby’s Dream Team in the finals. Team USA’s Jim Zimolka picked apart a few stingy English defenses for a tournament-high 20 touchdown passes, en route to MVP honors. The 9-man tournament was not as easy for the Americans, who waited through a two-hour delay as the pride of England’s native football program (soccer) took the pitch against Team Sweden in a World Cup pool play match in Saitama, Japan. England managed a 1-1 tie, and the flag football 9-man no contact, double-elimination tournament resumed play following the game. Team USA battled its way into the championship game unscathed at 3-0 and was in a tight-knit fight for the tournament title until the last five minutes of the game. Clinging to a 7-6 lead over Scotland (Stirling Clansmen), Team USA looked to teammate and Englishman Butch Ebo to provide the victory. Ebo responded by snatching a touchdown pass for the American team, who scored one more time to earn a 20-6 victory. Butch, who is from England, played for Team USA in place of an injured player, and was the tournament’s MVP. International Flag Football Federation (IFFF) president Jim Zimolka said he was pleased with the competition his USA team faced in England and the progress of the English squads. He also thanked his English hosts, who housed and transported them during their stay. “The English took great care of us … ” Zimolka said. “England has shown great improvement since the World Cup tournament (earlier this year) and several more are playing the sport as it is growing at a surprising pace. They now have the experience of the game which will make them a decent threat at this next year’s World Cup.” After observing the Queen Elizabeth’s 50th-year jubilee festival, the American team departed for the Spanish Challenge in Madrid, Spain.The Spanish proved to be an immediate threat to oust Team USA for the first time during the European Tour, but experience proved to be a valuable asset for the Americans. Team USA opened the tournament against Team Tulenaur, considered
Spain’s best flag football team. The rugged tackle football
players-turned-flag pullers appeared to be the favorite with height
and speed, and a strong-armed collegiate quarterback on their side.
But Team USA’s knowledge of the sport spoiled a victory by
the native team, as they easily beat Tulenaur 38-12. The Americans
escaped pool play at 4-0 and in the first round of the playoffs
shutout the Old Stars 38-0 to proceed to the championship game.
A savvier Team Tulenaur awaited a rematch with the USA in the title
game, but their inexperience was still too much to overcome as they Team USA’s Jim Wilson, who scored four touchdowns in the championship game and 10 throughout the tournament, was selected the tournament MVP. Arty Hazard’s defensive presence was also felt, as he was awarded defensive MVP for his five interceptions. “I was impressed with the talent in Spain,” Zimolka said. “The talent here is much better than we expected. With a little more experience Spain will be a strong contender at the World Cup. ”Zimolka said that although they were in Europe to inform and instruct squads in England and Spain in preparation for the 2003 World Cup, the teams he saw were well versed and ready for international competition. About 16 to 20 international teams will compete at the World Cup and experience provided on the European Tour should give some teams an edge in February. The World Cup-style 9-man competition will feature three ineligible linemen, which should help make it easier for international squads to adjust to the competition. Zimolka added that competition in Madrid was only a small portion of what Spain has to offer. “Talent in Spain was good,” Zimolka said. “The better talent is in Barcelona, we were in Madrid. ”The Americans were treated to a party atmosphere at both sites during the trip, and despite a few scares on the left side of the road in England, parties and fairs in England and Spain provided a relaxing relief between competitions. by Carlos Munoz, Jr. Sponsored by FlagMag.com Steve Wiggin-Marshfield, MA- OL/DL Kevin Kurek-Cleveland, OH-DL/RB Jim Wilson-Londonderry, NH-WR/DB Arty Hazard-Derry, NH-WR/DB Jim Zimolka-Londonderry,NH-QB/RB Championship Team USA/FlagMag 40 Tulenar 19 MVP-Offense-Jim Wilson; Defense-Arty Hazard
Round Robin
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